Heineman Preparing ‘United Front’ on Tax Cuts

(AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman is preparing a “united front” of Nebraska business and farm groups to push for a multiyear tax relief package after a new legislative session begins on Wednesday.

The Republican governor tells The Associated Press he will focus this year on reducing property taxes for farmers and personal income taxes for families making between $60,000 and $120,000 a year. Without giving specifics, the governor says the plan would include “hundreds of millions of dollars” in tax relief phased in over several years.

Heineman says he has spoken over the last few months with groups that represent farmers, ranchers and businesses. Last year, those groups were among the first to publicly oppose Heineman’s plan to eliminate or reduce Nebraska’s income tax by getting rid of sales-tax exemptions.